Nuggets survival gives Spurs welcome time off

Tony Parker recorded 18 points and 8 assists against the Lakers in Game 1. He averaged 22.3 points in the Spurs' four-game sweep.

Tony Parker recorded 18 points and 8 assists against the Lakers in Game 1. He averaged 22.3 points in the Spurs' four-game sweep.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Gary Neal puts pressure on the Lakers' Jodie Meeks during Game 1. The Spurs won 91-79 behind a strong showing from the bench.

The Spurs' Gary Neal puts pressure on the Lakers' Jodie Meeks during Game 1. The Spurs won 91-79 behind a strong showing from the bench.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Manu Ginobili drives to the basket against the Lakers during Game 1. The Spurs won 91-79. Ginobili scored 18 points in his biggest scoring game since March 6.

The Spurs' Manu Ginobili drives to the basket against the Lakers during Game 1. The Spurs won 91-79. Ginobili scored 18 points in his biggest scoring game since March 6.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Matt Bonner fouls the Lakers' Dwight Howard during Game 1. Bonner scored 10 points off the bench as well as helping play defense on Howard.

The Spurs' Matt Bonner fouls the Lakers' Dwight Howard during Game 1. Bonner scored 10 points off the bench as well as helping play defense on Howard.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tiago Splitter drives through the Lakers' Pau Gasol (left) and Dwight Howard during Game 1. The Spurs won 91-79.

The Spurs' Tiago Splitter drives through the Lakers' Pau Gasol (left) and Dwight Howard during Game 1. The Spurs won 91-79.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tim Duncan (left) had a double-double in Game 1 with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Spurs won 91-79.

The Spurs' Tim Duncan (left) had a double-double in Game 1 with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Spurs won 91-79.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tim Duncan shoots over the Lakers' Antawn Jamison, (4) and Dwight Howard during Game 1.

The Spurs' Tim Duncan shoots over the Lakers' Antawn Jamison, (4) and Dwight Howard during Game 1.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tony Parker scrambles for a loose ball against the Lakers' Steve Blake during Game 1 against the Lakers.

The Spurs' Tony Parker scrambles for a loose ball against the Lakers' Steve Blake during Game 1 against the Lakers.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tony Parker, driving around the Lakers' Darius Morris, broke loose for 24 points in the second half of Game 2. He finished with 28 points as the Spurs won 102-91.

The Spurs' Tony Parker, driving around the Lakers' Darius Morris, broke loose for 24 points in the second half of Game 2. He finished with 28 points as the Spurs won 102-91.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Manu Ginobili shoots over the Lakers' Darius Morris during the Spurs' victory in Game 2. Ginobili scored 13 points and the Spurs' bench players combined for 32 points.

The Spurs' Manu Ginobili shoots over the Lakers' Darius Morris during the Spurs' victory in Game 2. Ginobili scored 13 points and the Spurs' bench players combined for 32 points.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' DeJuan Blair (left) plays defense on the Lakers' Pau Gasol in Game 2.

The Spurs' DeJuan Blair (left) plays defense on the Lakers' Pau Gasol in Game 2.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs Tim Duncan (right) plays defense on the Lakers' Dwight Howard as Manu Ginobili moves in during Game 2.

The Spurs Tim Duncan (right) plays defense on the Lakers' Dwight Howard as Manu Ginobili moves in during Game 2.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Matt Bonner fouls the Lakers' Dwight Howard during Game 2.

The Spurs' Matt Bonner fouls the Lakers' Dwight Howard during Game 2.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Danny Green drives between the Lakers' Antawn Jamison and Pau Gasol in Game 2.

The Spurs' Danny Green drives between the Lakers' Antawn Jamison and Pau Gasol in Game 2.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tim Duncan shoots between the Lakers' Antawn Jamison, (4), Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace during the Spurs' 102-91 victory in Game 2.

The Spurs' Tim Duncan shoots between the Lakers' Antawn Jamison, (4), Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace during the Spurs' 102-91 victory in Game 2.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tony Parker runs into the Lakers' Steve Blake as he drives to the basket during the Spurs' 102-91 victory in Game 2.

The Spurs' Tony Parker runs into the Lakers' Steve Blake as he drives to the basket during the Spurs' 102-91 victory in Game 2.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Gary Neal drives around the Lakers' Steve Nash during the Spurs' victory in Game 2.

The Spurs' Gary Neal drives around the Lakers' Steve Nash during the Spurs' victory in Game 2.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tony Parker shoots around the Lakers' Dwight Howard during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles. Parker had 20 points and 7 assists as the Spurs took a 3-0 series lead.

The Spurs' Tony Parker shoots around the Lakers' Dwight Howard during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles. Parker had 20 points and 7 assists as the Spurs took a 3-0 series lead.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tiago Splitter looks to pass around the Lakers' Earl Clark during Game 3. Splitter suffered an ankle sprain at the end of the third quarter and missed the rest of Game 3 and all of Game 4.

The Spurs' Tiago Splitter looks to pass around the Lakers' Earl Clark during Game 3. Splitter suffered an ankle sprain at the end of the third quarter and missed the rest of Game 3 and all of Game 4.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' DeJuan Blair, shooting around theLakers' Andrew Goudelock, scored 13 points off the bench during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

The Spurs' DeJuan Blair, shooting around theLakers' Andrew Goudelock, scored 13 points off the bench during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Cory Joseph passes around the Lakers' Andrew Goudelock. The Spurs pulled away by scoring 35 points in the fourth quarter during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

The Spurs' Cory Joseph passes around the Lakers' Andrew Goudelock. The Spurs pulled away by scoring 35 points in the fourth quarter during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Kawhi Leonard talks with coach Gregg Popovich during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

The Spurs' Kawhi Leonard talks with coach Gregg Popovich during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tim Duncan and Lakers' Metta World Peace grab for a loose ball during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

The Spurs' Tim Duncan and Lakers' Metta World Peace grab for a loose ball during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tim Duncan and Lakers' Dwight Howard grab for a loose ball during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

The Spurs' Tim Duncan and Lakers' Dwight Howard grab for a loose ball during the Spurs' 120-89 Game 3 victory in Los Angeles.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tony Parker shoots over the Lakers' Darius Morris. Parker scored 23 points to lead the Spurs to a 103-82 victory in Game 4 that completed the Spurs' first-round sweep of the Lakers.

The Spurs' Tony Parker shoots over the Lakers' Darius Morris. Parker scored 23 points to lead the Spurs to a 103-82 victory in Game 4 that completed the Spurs' first-round sweep of the Lakers.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Aron Baynes, who started Game 4 in place of Tiago Splitter, dunks in front of the Lakers' Darius Morris. The Spurs won 103-82.

The Spurs' Aron Baynes, who started Game 4 in place of Tiago Splitter, dunks in front of the Lakers' Darius Morris. The Spurs won 103-82.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Lakers' Dwight Howard is defended by the Spurs' DeJuan Blair (from left), Cory Joseph, Matt Bonner and Manu Ginobili during Game 4. Joseph was called for a personal foul on the play. Howard was called for his first technical foul on the play. less

The Lakers' Dwight Howard is defended by the Spurs' DeJuan Blair (from left), Cory Joseph, Matt Bonner and Manu Ginobili during Game 4. Joseph was called for a personal foul on the play. Howard was called for ... more

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Kawhi Leonard, who scored 13 points in Game 4, drives to the basket around the Lakers' Earl Clark. The Spurs won 103-82.

The Spurs' Kawhi Leonard, who scored 13 points in Game 4, drives to the basket around the Lakers' Earl Clark. The Spurs won 103-82.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Tim Duncan plays defense on the Lakers' Dwight Howard during Game 4.

The Spurs' Tim Duncan plays defense on the Lakers' Dwight Howard during Game 4.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Lakers' Dwight Howard walks off the court after being ejected during the second half of Game 4. Howard was tossed after being hit with his second technical foul. The Spurs won 103-82.

The Lakers' Dwight Howard walks off the court after being ejected during the second half of Game 4. Howard was tossed after being hit with his second technical foul. The Spurs won 103-82.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Lakers' Kobe Bryant (center) stands near the bench during second half of Game 4 in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 103-82.

The Lakers' Kobe Bryant (center) stands near the bench during second half of Game 4 in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 103-82.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Manu Ginobili (from left) Tim Duncan and Tony Parker joke on the bench near the end of Game 4. The Spurs won 103-82 to finish their first-round sweep of the Lakers.

The Spurs' Manu Ginobili (from left) Tim Duncan and Tony Parker joke on the bench near the end of Game 4. The Spurs won 103-82 to finish their first-round sweep of the Lakers.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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Nuggets survival gives Spurs welcome time off

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By Mike Monroe, Staff Writer

When the Nuggets pushed their Western Conference first-round series against Golden State to a sixth game Tuesday night in Denver, they also provided the Spurs another two days of preparation time for their next series.

With the Nuggets’ win, Game 1 of the Spurs’ Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver-Golden State survivor won’t be played until Monday. Game time at the AT&T Center won’t be determined until all four semifinal series in both conferences are set.

The defending champion Miami Heat also are scheduled to begin their East semifinal series Monday against the winner of the Brooklyn-Chicago series, so start times later than the Spurs’ typical 7:30 p.m. tipoff seem likely.

The Warriors went into Tuesday’s Game 5 leading the best-of-7 series 3-1 but could not close it out on the road at the Pepsi Center, where the Nuggets went 38-3 during the regular season.

Had Golden State won and advanced, Game 1 would have been played Saturday. Instead, the Spurs have even more time to get ready.

“I think for us right now, it’s good,” Spurs point guard Tony Parker said. “We need to get Tiago (Splitter) back, and Boris (Diaw) is just getting back. Tracy (McGrady) needs a couple more practices. Myself and Manu (Ginobili), it never hurts to have some time off.

“We’re trying to get everybody back, working on the stuff we can improve, waiting for who we’re going to play.”

Tickets for the conference semifinals, starting at $20, went on sale Monday at the AT&T Center box office. They also are available online at Spurs.com.

Injury updates: Two extra days between games is welcome news for numerous Spurs who are dealing with injuries.

Diaw, the forward-center who had surgery April 12 to remove a synovial cyst from the base of his spine, fully participated in a practice Tuesday and is likely to play Monday, especially with the extra recovery time.

Splitter, who sprained his left ankle in the Spurs’ Game 3 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, remains questionable for Game 1 of the second round, according to coach Gregg Popovich.

Gary Neal, who played in all four games of the first-round sweep, will continue to receive treatment for the plantar fasciitis that has hampered him much of the season.

“I think that plantar is still hurting him a little bit,” Popovich said. “He’s working through it. He’s fighting through it.”